Who put the yellow robe on me?

As soon as these words fell, the entire hall fell into deathly silence, as if even breathing was frozen by the sonorous and powerful sound.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the two sixteenth princes.

In the center of the Wanhe Hall, under the interweaving of light and shadow, the dark-skinned prince was in high spirits, with a calmness and fortitude between his brows; while the pale and dejected prince seemed to be staggering, with a bit of uncertainty and panic in his eyes.

The dusk outside the hall gradually deepened, and the mottled afterglow shone on them through the gaps in the carved wooden door, making their faces appear more distinct and contrasting.

The commander of the imperial guards, Lin Shigong, stood at the side of the palace, his eyes as sharp as an eagle's, and a complex expression appeared on his iron-blue face; while the imperial physician Shi Baixia stood at the other side, his forehead slightly wrinkled, and his nose seemed to smell the strange smell mixed with gunpowder and the dragon's hidden worries, and he sighed inwardly.

The ministers exchanged whispers, some so low they barely rang out in their ears. "Now that we have achieved great success in the Western Regions, the Sixteenth Prince, through those bloody battles, has become a staunch shield for Daliang. If it were that dissolute fellow, the situation at the border would have been in utter chaos long ago."

Some people looked worried and whispered, "Military achievements are certainly important, but how can the royal bloodline be so easily obliterated? How should we choose..."

Just as everyone was talking, the Ninth Prince Jiang Yu and the Sixth Prince Jiang Fu looked at each other, with a hint of unconcealable worry in their eyes.

The Sixth Prince, Jiang Fu, was unusually calm. His voice was low and firm, like a sharp sword piercing the thick silence. "General, while there is truth in your words regarding the supremacy of military merit, the orthodox lineage of the royal family cannot be tarnished."

As he said this, he looked at the dark-skinned Sixteenth Prince.

"If this Sixteenth Brother led the people of Daliang to fight against the Western Regions, he would be a hero. But what we are discussing now is who is the true Sixteenth Prince of Daliang! Not who is the hero of Daliang!"

When saying this, Sixth Prince Jiang Fu's eyes were as sharp as torches, and his words went straight to the core of the problem.

Although he spoke little, each of his words touched people's hearts, causing all the civil and military officials present to pay close attention.

Murmurs suddenly arose in the hall. This scene seemed to divide the originally chaotic situation into two major camps: one side was those who judged heroes by their military achievements and advocated unparalleled achievements; the other side insisted on orthodox bloodline and believed that only the descendants of the true dragon could inherit the Liang Dynasty.

After hearing the Sixth Prince's speech, Emperor Liang frowned slightly with a complicated expression, as if he was struggling with a dilemma.

At this moment, Prime Minister He noticed the slight hesitation on Emperor Liang's face, and he slowly stepped forward and asked in a gentle and magnetic tone, "Sixth Prince, in your opinion, what should we do now?"

The reason why Prime Minister He was able to become the head of the civil officials was that his ability to read people's expressions was definitely better than anyone else.

Sixth Prince Jiang Fu calmed himself and replied in a deep voice, "Old Prime Minister, during that standoff just now, my two Sixteenth Brothers were both fully acquainted with Daliang's internal affairs and military affairs, even those little-known details. I'm afraid that only a blood test can distinguish the true prince from the false."

"Blood test to identify relatives?" This proposal suddenly exploded in the hall, causing immediate shock and uproar.

Someone whispered in shock, "What does the Sixth Prince mean? The emperor's body is sacred, how can it be stained with blood?"

Some ministers even shook their heads repeatedly, their voices filled with reproach: "Your Majesty's body should not be desecrated. Such words are too frivolous!"

At this moment, Shi Baixia, the Imperial Hospital's Imperial Physician, stepped forward hastily, his voice choked with worry as he said, "Your Highness, Prince Qin! This method can distinguish the true from the false, but how can your Majesty's body withstand it? Absolutely not..."

His tone was filled with worry and helplessness, as if he could foresee the endless disasters that might be caused by that drop of blood.

At the same time, Minister of Rites Mu Shenru glanced at Empress Defei, then said to Shi Baixia, "Sir Shi, while blood test isn't the best option, it's probably the only way to distinguish the true prince from the false. Of course, we must not harm the emperor's body. Empress Defei, this method might be able to help us. What do you think?"

Before Mu Shenru finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to Concubine De.

The hall suddenly fell into a solemn silence, and everyone's eyes were fixed on Concubine De like needles.

Although Concubine De's face was a little stern, her heart was as turbulent as a storm.

Knowing that this might be the only chance to lift the heavy fog and distinguish the real prince from the fake one.

She lowered her eyes, her voice soft but filled with unquestionable determination: "In my opinion, this method, while risky, may be able to determine the true from the false. If I can ensure that it does not harm Your Majesty, I am willing to certify my kinship with the two princes through blood oaths!"

She knew that this method of blood recognition might be her only chance to distinguish the real prince from the fake one, and it was also the key to uncovering the secret conspiracy.

At this moment, the entire hall seemed to be hanging on a thin thread, and every breath was heavy and slow.

The ministers each had their own calculations. Imperial Guard Commander Lin Shigong gripped his sword tightly, thinking to himself, "If this method succeeds, it will reveal the complex and confusing truth in the court. But if it fails, I'm afraid Daliang will be plunged into unprecedented chaos."

Shi Baixia kept rubbing his palms, as if praying to the gods for protection, praying that the debauched Sixteenth Prince was a fake...

"In that case, let's begin." Emperor Liang finally spoke, his voice low and majestic.

Upon hearing this, Shi Baixia hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I will go and prepare the instruments needed for the blood test."

Emperor Liang nodded slightly, signaling him to go and come back quickly.

The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment, but each of them was secretly thinking in their hearts: After this blood recognition, the fake Sixteenth Prince will probably be executed by His Majesty Ling Shi.

A moment later, Shi Baixia hurried back with several imperial doctors, holding an exquisite silver plate in his hand, on which were placed several silver needles and two white jade bowls.

The bowl is filled with clear water, so clear that you can see the bottom, as if it can reflect everyone's thoughts.